Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday stated that concrete steps are being taken to ensure round-the-clock supply of quality drinking water in all municipalities in the state by March 2027.
This was stated by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra while reviewing the ongoing drinking water projects at a meeting in Bhubaneswar.
Stressing the need for constructing barrages to utilise river water more effectively, the Minister said timely completion of projects and regular monitoring is important. Smart meters will also be introduced on a pilot basis to collect drinking water charges in urban areas.
The drinking water projects under construction were discussed and the officials were advised to conduct regular reviews and supervision to complete the work within the stipulated time frame.
The minister stated that incomplete projects will be expedited after identifying the causes of delays. Instructions have been issued to ensure timely completion.
“It was discussed how to utilize river water more effectively through barrages. Currently, only 17 per cent of the flowing water is being used, with the remainder flowing into the sea. To address this, efforts will be made to harness more water through barrages,” said Mohapatra.
Principal Secretary of the Department, Usha Padhee, Managing Director of Watco, Guru Charan Das, EIC and OWSSB Ratindra Narayan Mallick, and EIC PHEO Bilas Behera attended the meeting.
